| In order to lose weight successfully, you first have | | | | each meal, but you are also snacking on junk food in |
| to realize that losing weight is a journey with a | | | | between. Unfortunately, this way of eating leads to a |
| specific destination. Right now, you're at the very | | | | lot of weight gain. It's been proven that if you eat |
| beginning and about to take the first step towards | | | | several small meals during the day, you won't get |
| changing your eating and lifestyle habits, so that you | | | | hungry between meals and when you do, it's easier |
| can have the body you really want. | | | | to snack on something that has less calories. |
| Of course, this isn't going to be easy - nothing | | | | Plan to eat five small meals a day, instead of three, |
| worthwhile ever is. You should pat yourself on the | | | | and see if that helps to curb your food cravings. |
| back for making a commitment to yourself that | | | | Keep a Food Journal |
| you're finally ready to do this. So many people can't | | | | Just like a diary is a snippet of events that happen in |
| even make it this far. So, in a sense, you're already | | | | your life, a food journal helps you to keep track of |
| ahead of the game. | | | | what you're really putting into your mouth on a daily |
| Your goal should be to lose one or two pounds a | | | | basis. You probably have a mental picture of what |
| week, if you lose more than that, great, but don't | | | | you normally eat, but when you see it in writing, you |
| push for it. You want to stay mentally focused, | | | | may be surprised at all the extra foods you're eating |
| healthy and determined. If you push too hard, or try | | | | without even thinking about it. |
| to force your body to lose big numbers, then you'll | | | | Write down what you ate, what time you ate it, and |
| eventually stress yourself out and hit a wall that may | | | | how you felt when you ate that particular food. |
| lead to failure. | | | | Sometimes when we eat certain "comfort foods" |
| Here's some suggestions that you can use to create | | | | we're really trying to use food to fill up an emotional |
| a successful weight loss plan: | | | | hole in our hearts. |
| Set a Reasonable Goal | | | | Feelings of loneliness, boredom, stress, anger and |
| Your first step should be to decide how much weight | | | | low-self esteem are often triggers for food binging. |
| you want to lose. Get some 3x5 index cards and | | | | Write it down and you can go back and evaluate it |
| write one goal or positive statement down on each | | | | later. |
| one. Start by writing down your ideal weight, this is | | | | Treat Yourself |
| your ultimate big goal. | | | | When you reach one of your weight loss goals, go |
| Next, you want to set smaller goals for yourself. | | | | ahead and treat yourself to something special. The |
| Write down a goal for losing five pounds, then ten | | | | only catch is that your reward cannot be a food |
| pounds, twenty pounds, etc. | | | | item. That's right, you will not have a bowl of ice |
| Write down some positive motivational statements | | | | cream or a big slice of pizza. |
| about yourself. | | | | You want to mentally get away from thinking of |
| "I love myself unconditionally" | | | | food as a reward or a security blanket. So, think of |
| "I'm a great person inside and outside" | | | | some other things that will put a smile on your face. |
| "I'm going to smile and laugh today" | | | | Money is always a good reward. Maybe you can |
| "I deserve this and I'm worth it" | | | | create a reward jar and pay yourself five dollars for |
| Keep these cards where you'll be able to look at | | | | every milestone achieved. You could go on a nice |
| them every day. | | | | shopping spree after you've reached your final goal |
| Eat Smaller Portions More Often | | | | weight. |
| Growing up you were probably taught to eat three | | | | You could also buy yourself some fresh flowers, a |
| meals a day. You were also probably taught to clean | | | | nice pair of earrings, a new video game, a new tie, |
| your plate. While this schedule of eating meals is | | | | etc. |
| well-intentioned, the fact is that you are going to get | | | | Another great idea is to make up your own reward |
| hungry between breakfast and lunch, and between | | | | coupon books. |
| lunch and dinner. | | | | I hope these tips are helpful and that you are |
| Not only are you probably having a large portion for | | | | successful in creating a healthier and happier new you. |